Surcharge is one to follow
‘The best horse I’ve ever trained!’
“I’ve been preaching this horse from the day he first ran and people better start listening because this is the best horse I’ve ever trained,” said trainer Stuart Pettigrew following Surcharge’s exceptional performance in the Tony Ruffel Stakes (Grade 3) at Turffontein on Saturday.
This son of Gimmethegreenlight produced a devastating turn of foot in the dying stages to win going away by an impressive 0.60 lengths.
“He is a good horse. He had no right to win from that far back, but obviously his class saw him through,” said jockey Piere Strydom.
Pettigrew’s charge was one from last at the 400m and winning looked an impossible task. Wonderwall (13-1) led the pack passed the 300m under jockey Grant van Niekerk and they were followed closely by Mike de Kock’s trio Sir David Baird (15-1), Yakeen (16-10 tote favourite) and Pietro Mascagni (9-1).
The order quickly changed with 150m left to go. Sir David Baird took over the lead and looked a sure winner, but Surcharge was travelling best of all, impressively passing rivals with each and every stride.
“When Sir David Baird straightened and my horse put his head down it was game over,” said Strydom.
Sir David Baird ran his heart out, but had to settle for second and Wonderwall wasn’t disgraced in third. Pietro Mascagni stayed on well for third and tote favourite Yakeen disappointed in sixth, beaten 6.40 lengths.
“He is a top horse, I haven’t said this since 2004 before the Summer Cup with Tyson – they can bring what they want if I get a good draw in the Classic this year. When he goes 1800m to 2000m you are going to see something very special,” Pettigrew said with confidence.
Mike de Kock-trained Fish River was given a masterful ride by jockey Anthony Delpech in the Three Troikas Stakes (Grade 3), defeating 5-4 tote favourite San Fermin by 2.10 lengths.
San Fermin was drawn widest of all and following a poor start, was left with too much ground to make up for.